Window construction



Sept- 10, 1940. E. F. CHAI-'FEE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed April 11, 1938 I ENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept.` 10, 1940 L'JNITED STATES PAfrENT oFFllcE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Application April 11, 1938, Serial No. 201,292

11 Claims. (Cl. 18S-64) This invention relates to doubler window constructions, such as are used in railway cars, buses,

andother structures, particularly windows for air-conditioned rooms or interiors. In such windows, the lair or other gases is trapped in the space between the glass panes and sealed therein.,

. Also, provision is made for absorbing the moisture from the air sealed between the glass panes. However, due to varying outside air pressure,

there is a slow' seepage of outside air into the space between theglass panes when th pressure of the outside air is comparatively high or the barometer. reading is high and also a seepage or Abreathing of air from between the glass panes 5 outward, when the pressure of the outside air is low or the barometer reading low. When the air pressure is low outside of the double sash, there is an outward pressure on the glass panes, and

i the glass panes in turn exert a pressure on the sealing means or tend to loosen the glass panes .in the sealing means, and also when the outside air pressure rises, the pressure thereof on the.

outside of the glass panes tends to loosenthe glass panes in the sealing means. Hence, under 5 the former condition, there is afflow of conditioned air outward from the space between the glass panes, and under the latter condition, a flow of outside air containing moisture into the space between the glass panes. Regardless of 80 moisture-absorbing materials, there gradually accumulates enough moisture in the space between the glass Ypanes to cause them to cloud.

The invention has for its object Ya construction of sealing means for the glass panes of a double sash, which compensates for the diierential pres- -which the moisture-absorbing material is made accessible for removal'and replacement by means permitting the demounting of one glass panel from the sash. N.

It further has for its object an arrangement of glazing strips and an intermediate spacing strip, all of a resilient compressible material by which the glass panels are assembledwith the sash, and either glass panel removable, and further, such a construction in which the moistureair space between them,'a spacer between the absorbing material is accessible for removal and replacement upon removal of ,the glazing strip and the corresponding glass panel.L

It further has for its object a particularly simple means for welding asashto the window frame 5 where the sashis of va material or' metal lnot weldable by electro-welding `or spot-weldingyand the Window frame is of such a metal.

Other objects appear throughout the specication. A l0 The invention consists. in the novel feature and in the combinations and constructions here- 1 mafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawingin which like char- 15 acters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of a window embodying this invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views taken re- 20 l spectively on lines 2-2 and 3 3, Figure 1.

v Figure 4 is az enlarged sectional view through the major portion of the spacer.

` Figure 5 is. a similar sectionalview through the remaining portion ofthe spacer.

Figure 6 is av modied form of the spacer.

Figure 7 a view of one of the glazing strips showing the form thereof before being compressed into operative position against the glass pane. -30 The illustrated embodiment of the invention in a double window construction comprises, generally, a sash, glass panels spaced apart with an margins of the glass panels, the sash being formed 35 with a recess or channel for receiving a mois-V trefabsorbing material and the spacer being -formed with passages leading from the recess into the space between the, glass panels, and means for mounting or securing the glass panels assembled in the sash including a removable strip operabletq permit the removal of one of the panels to give access to the spacer, the recess and the moisture-absorbing material. 45 I designates the sash, which is formed up into generally rectangular form, here shown as hav ing rounding corners. 2 designates the glass panels mounted to have an air space 3 between them. 50

In the illustrated embodiment, the glass panels are heldl in place vso that each of them can be demounted without demounting the other, but', in so far as certain features are concerned, as for instance, for'givingaccess to the misture ab- 55 sorbing material to be presently referred to, one glass panel only need be demountable.

The 'means for holding a glass panel assembled with the sash is composed of elements of compressiblerresilient material for cushioning the glass panel. Also, the intermediateI spacer between the glass. panels is also of resilient compressible material.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the sash is formed up with an intermediate inwardly facing recess or channel 4 extending entirely around the same and alined with the spaceV between the panels 2 and also with similar recesses or channels 5, 6 located to the outward of the planes of the panels 2.

'I designates the spacer extending between the margins of the panels 2 and having a base flange 8 extending partly into the intermediate channel 4, the spacer including a major' part which is formed with laterally extending flanges 9 on opposite vsides thereof. extending crosswgl'e of the edges of the panels 2 and a minor remaining part 'Ia formed with aflange 9al on' one sidethereof only extending across the edge of one panel 2 only, this panel being the one that is removed when it is desired to give access to the moisture-absorbing material in the recess or channel 4. Also, Athe base flange 8a of the minor portion 'la is of less depth or extends a shorter distance into the recess or channel 4 than'the base ange 8 of the major portion. In order that the flanges 9 and 9a may lie flatwise on the surfaces of the sash opposed to the edges of the glass panels 2, these iianges are initially inclined or tensioned, as yshown in Figures 5 and 6.

The means for holding the glass panels assembled with the sash includes glazing stripsI Il, I I having base flanges tting in the channels 5, E and head portions I2, I3 pressing against the outer sides of the glass panels 2 respectively. Hence, these head portions and` the spacer 'l with its flanges 9, ila form channels or grooves for receiving the margins of the glass panels 2. The base flanges of the glazing strips are shown as formed with inclinedbarbs I4 arranged to prevent creeping or looping of the glazing strips out of the channels 5, 6, especially at the rounding corners. Likewise the base flange 8 of the major portion of the spacer 'I is formed with similar barbs I5.

The portion of the spacer between the margins of the glass panels 2 is also formed with barbs I6 on opposite lsides thereof coacting with margins of the glass panel to prevent creeping of the spacer out of the recess or channel 3. The glazing strips and the spacer are formed of a resilient compressible material, as rubber, for cushioning the glass panels 2 and relieving them of shocks and strains. The rubber is -as impervious as possible. Preferably, the major portion of the spacer extends along the sides and top rail of the sash and part way along the ends of the bottom rail and the minor or remainder portion Ia extends along the intermediate portion of the bottom rail. The moisture-absorbing material is located in the channel 4 in the bottom rail below the remainder portion 'Ia of the spacer, and passages are provided from the channel 4 in the bottom rail through the spacer into the space between the panels 2. Preferably, the passages are provided by making the minor portion 'Ia separable from the major portion and leaving spaces which provide passages I1 between the opposing ends of the major and minor portions of the spacer.

The head portions I2, I3 of the glazing strips are of the form shown in Figure- 7 and are distorted or tensioned, when placed in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3, so vthat they against the margins of the glasspanes and 'have a compensating movement. Also, the barbs I 6 have a compensating movement to follow up the glass panes when thepressure between the same panes outward, when theoutside air pressure is low and the seepage of air inward into the space L. between the glass panes when the outside pressure is high, is eliminated or reduced to a minimum, so that the air between the glass panes can be kept free of moisture over a long indefinite period o time. As each of these barbs I6 are continuous, they have a line contact with the margins of the glass panes, providing successive lines of defense against air passing out of or into the space between the glass panes.

I8 designates the moisture-absorbing'material' which is usually activated alumina.

In operation, the spacer strip is placed in position with the activated alumina I8 in the channel 4 of the bottom r'ail. 'Ihe glass panels are then placed in position, and nally the-glazing strips placed in position. The incline of the barbs I4 permits the ready insertion of the glazing strips in the sash but prevents creeping, working outlor crawling of the glazing strip out of the channels 5, 6. Likewise the barbs I5 prevent creeping or working out of the spacer from the channel 4. The barbs I6 coact with the glass panels and extend and compress laterally to compensate for movement of the glass under variation in pressure of the outside atmosphere, and together with the ress headsof the glazing strips hold the air sealed between the glass panels or compensate for such variations in. the pressure of the outside air. They also prevent working outward of the spacer but` cessible for removal and replacement by fresh,-

alumina. The removal of the minor portion Ia of the spacer is possible because there is no flange extending under the other glass panel 2. The portion 'Ia of the spacer of the glass panel 2, which has been demounted, and the corresponding strip II is then replaced.

The body of the sash I, which is of an aluminum alloy, or a metal that can not be readily electro or spotwelded, isI secured to a facing strip 20, which is secured to the outer member 2I of the structure around the window opening or frame. The facing strip is usually steel. Heretofore, the practice has been to secure the facing strip to the body of the sash by screws. 'I'he screws are numerous and hence unsightly.

One of the features of the invention is the securing of this face plate tothe body of the sash by welding, and as here shown, the body of the sash is provided with steel plugs 22 at; intervals extending therethrough or through a peripheral flange 23 on the body and also through a non-metallic heat insulating strip 2l, with the ends of the plugs ush 'with the surface of the strip 2l.

The facing strip or'plate20 is spot welded atl 25 -to the endsbf the plugs 22. The strip 24 is for 5 the purpose of preventing the exchange of heat between the face plate 20 on the outside .of the*l structure 'and the sash I. It is usually of a material known to the trade asmasonite. The facing 'strip or plate 20 is secured to-the car body as by screws 26 fastened through the margin thereof into the car body 21.

In Figure', the activated alumina 21 is shown as located in a groove 28 formed in theportion of the spacer extending between the glass panes so that the entire edge portion of the activated.- alumina is exposed in, the space between the glass panes 2.

What I claim is:

1. A double window construction comprising a sash, glass panels spaced apart with an air space between them, a spacer'between themargins of the glass panels, the sash being forned with a recess for a moisture-absorbing materiaiuand the spacer covering the -recess and at least a portion thereof being readily .removable for giving access to the recess, the spacer being formed with passages( from the recess to the space between the glass panels,- means for securing the glass panels assembled in the sash including a removablestrip operable to permit the removal of one of the panels to give access 'to the spacer. `2. A'doubl'c window construction comprising a sash and glass panels spaced ap rt with an air space between them, the sash be' provided with a channel for receiving a moisture-absorbing material, the channel being alined with the space between the panels, a spacer between 'the margins of the glass panels and arranged in line with the channel and covering the same, the spa-cer having passages therethroughI from the channel into the space between the panels, atleast a portion of' the spacer being readily removable to give access to the recess," and means for holding the glass panels assembled with the sash including a removable glazing stripcoacting with one ofthe panels, whereby when the strip and the adjacent panel is removed, the spacer is accessible.

3. vA double window construction .comprising a sash and glass vpanels spaced lapart with an air space between them, the. sash being provided with a channel'alined with and of substantially the same width as the space between the glass panels, for receiving in a portion thereof a moisture#4 absorbing material, a spacer interposed between 55 the margins of the glass panels and extending into the channel, th'e spacer being provided with passages therethrough opening into the channel' for permitting the air in the spacebetween the* .panels lto contact the moistureeabsorbing mate- 00 rial located adjacent the bottom of the channel,

and removable glazing strips interlocked with thel ^sa"sh and coacting with the -outer faces of the panels respectively. f

4.- A double window construction comprising' a 65 sash and'glass panels spaced; apart with arrair space 'between them, the sash being provided with a channel alined with the space. between theglass panels for'receivingin a portion thereof a moisture-absorbing material, a spacer interposed 70 between the margins ofthe glass panels and extending into the channel and forming a cover, therefor, the spacer being provided with passagesl therethrough opening into' the Achannel for permitting the air insad space to contact the. mois- 75 ture-absorbing material located adjacent the edges of the glass panels, a spacer'extending bebottom of the channel, at least a portion of thel spacer being readily removable for giving access tofthe channel, and means for retaining the glass panels assembled with the sash including ademountable glazing strip interlocked with the sash 5. and coacting with the margin of'one of the glass panels, whereby upon removal of the glazing strip, oneiof the glass panels may be demounted giving access to the spacer.

5. A double window construction comprising a l0 sash and glass .panels-spaced 'apart with an air space between them, the sash beingformed with an intermediate channel alined with the space lbetween the panels and with inwardly facing channels located outside the 'planes of the panels, a spacerextending between the margins of the glass panels and also into the intermediate channel, and removable glazing strips located in the ether channels respectively and coacting with the outer sides ofthe margin o the glass panels.

6. A doublewindow construction comprising a sash and glass'panels spaced apart with anair space between them, thesash. being formed with an intermediate channel. alined with the space between the panels and with inwardly facing channels located'outside the planes of the panels, the intermediate channel openinginto the space between the panels beyond the planes of the tween the margins of thevglas's panels and also into the intermediate channel, and emovabjeg glazing strips located-in the other cha els r spectively and coacting with 'the outer sides of the margins-of the glass panels, the glazing strip and the spacer being of resilient compressible material:l

'7. AY double window construction comprising a sash and 'glass anels spaced apart with an air space betwee hem, the sash being formed with an intermediate channel alined with the space between the panels and. with inwardly -facing channels located outside the planes of the panels, a spacer extending between the margins of the glasslpanels and having a base portion extending into the intermediate channel; and -re -movable glazing Vstrips located in the other channels respectively and coacting with the outer sides 6i the margin ofthe glass panels, a portion of the spacing strip having laterally extending fianges extendingacross the edges of the panels. 8. A double window construction comprising a sash andgiass panels spaced apart with an air space between them, the sash beingiormed with an intermediate channel alined with the space between the panels and with inwardly `facing channels vlocated outside the planes of the panels, a spacer extending between the margins 'of the glass panels and aiso into the intermediate' channel, a portion Vof Asaid channel receiving a moisture-absorbingl material, and removable 60 glazing-strips extending in the other channels respectively and coacting. with the outer sides -of themargins or the glass panels, a main portin of the sp er having laterally extending flanges on opposi e sides thereof' extending acrossithe edges of the panels',- and a second portion being one glazing strip, the adjacent panel and the second portion of the spacer, access is obtained to the moisture-absorbing material.

9. A double window construction comprising a sash and glass panels spaced apart with an airA space between them, the sash being formed with an intermediate channel alined with the space between .the panelsA and with inwardly facing channels located-outside the planes of the panels, a spacer extending between the margins of the glass panels and also into the intermediate channel, a portion of said channel receiving a (moisture-absorbing material, and removable glazing strips extending'in the other channels' respectively and coacting with the outer sides of the margins of the glass panels, a main portion of the spacer having laterally extending flanges extending across the edges of the panels, and a second portion being formed with a laterally extending flange on one side only extending across the edge of one glass panel only, the latter portion forming a cover for that portion of the intermediatechannel in which the moistureabsorbing material is located, said second portion of the spacer being separate from the main portion and having its ends spaced apart from the opposed ends of the main portion providing passages between the portion ofthe intermediate channel in .which ther'noisture-absorbing material is located, andthe space between the panels, all whereby upon removal .of one glazing strip, the adjacent panel and the second portion .of the spacer, access is obtained to the moisture-absorbing material. f

10. A double window construction comprising a sash, glass panels spaced apart with an air space between them, the sash being provided with a recess opening Yinto the space between the panels, a spacer extending between the margins of the glass panels and also into the recess, the greater portion of the spacer being formed with 'laterally extending Ilangeson both sides thereof extending across the edges of the glass panels and the remainder of the spacer being formed with a lateral flange on one sidev only thereof extending across the edge of one of the' panels, the spacer having base portions rextending into the recess and the portion of the recess covered by said remainder portion'of the spacer receiving a moisture-absorbingV material, the spacer being formed with passages leading from the recess into the space between the panels, and means for holding the glass panels assembled with the sash including a removable glazing strip coacting with one of theglass panels, and located so that when the glazing strip and the adjacent glass panel is removed, the remainder portion of the spacer may be removed to give access to the moisture-absorbing material.

11. A double window construction comprising ,a sash, glass panels spaced apart with an air space between them, the sash being provided with a recess opening into the space between the panels, a spacer extending between the margins of the glass panels and also into the recess, the greater portion of the spacer being formed with `laterally extending ange's on both sides thereof extending across the edges of the glass panels and the remainder of the vspacer being formed with. a lateral ange on one side only thereof extending across .the edge of one of the panels, the spacer having -base portions extending into the recess and the portion of the recess covered by said remainder portion of the spacer receiving a moisture-absorbingKmateriaI,

said remainder portion being separate from the major portion of the spacer and arranged with its ends spaced from the opposing ends of the major portion, thereby providing passages leading from the recess to the space between the glass panels, and means for holding the glass panels assembled with the sash including a removable glazing strip coacting with one of the glass panels, and located so thatwhen the glazing strip and adjacent: glass panel is removed, the remainder portion of the spacer may-be removed to" give access to the moisture-absorbing material.

EDWARD F. CHAFFEE. 

